Side: Killue
...It feels wonderful...
That was the thought drifting through my mind.
...What is this feeling? Why does it feel so nice?
I couldn't quite tell.
My thoughts were too hazy to piece together.
...Where am I right now?
Even a question that simple remained vague and unclear.
Yet, one thing was certain: wherever I was, it was immensely cozy, deeply comforting, and completely free of discomfort.
Perhaps this place was the peaceful haven I had been searching for all along.
Squish.
As those thoughts drifted through my mind, I felt a soft touch against my body.
Squish, squish.
I should be being touched, yet there's no sense of disgust at all.
Rather, it feels pleasant.
"Mm..."
At that touch, my memory slowly began to return.
I am Killue.
Yes, Killue.
A maid who serves Princess Sheila of the Kingdom of Gartz, also acting as her bodyguard.
And now...
"...I am also Yuki-sama's wife."
With that realization, I awoke from my hazy dream.
The moment I opened my eyes, the face of my beloved husband came into view.
Along with his hand, gently resting against my chest.
Yuki-sama, who was sent here to save the world.
Despite my lowly status as a maid, he has always treated me no differently from everyone else. He even went so far as to declare that I would become his concubine.
We have already been blessed with a child together, a child upon whom my lord showers endless love and affection.
...But I cannot afford to simply lose myself in admiration of Yuki-sama.
If I idle around like this, my duties as a maid will be taken from me...
Yuki-sama is a wonderful, deeply beloved man, but he is rather clumsy at acting like someone superior. Left to his own devices, he will leave me behind and start handling the household chores himself.
Therefore, if I do not wake up earlier than him, my work will be completely stolen away.
Since last night was my turn to spend the evening with Yuki-sama, I served him with all my heart, exhausting my physical energy to its absolute limit so that I would be the only one waking up early this morning. It seems my plan was a complete success.
Naturally, I should change immediately and begin preparing breakfast—but before that, I slip beneath the covers.
And there, despite how intensely I served him last night, I confirm that Yuki-sama is already full of energy this morning.
Among us wives, morning service is considered a matter of course.
Yuki-sama constantly pushes himself too hard and has relatively low carnal desires to begin with. That is precisely why it is up to us to properly support him in moments like these.
Needless to say, it is no chore. I offer my service with absolute joy.
Now then, I must hurry before he wakes up... Today... given my mood, I think I shall offer him both.
* * *
"Now, let us quickly finish up our preparations."
After finishing my morning service for Milord, I got dressed and was already in the cooking room—the kitchen.
Mornings are busy everywhere, and even this inn equipped with the latest modern amenities is no exception.
The rice cooker, which I set on a timer yesterday, is already active, cooking the rice. I must prepare the side dishes to match the exact moment it finishes.
In Weed, it has already become common knowledge that freshly cooked rice tastes best. What kind of maid would I be if I failed to serve it at its absolute peak?
The maid spirit within me burns bright! No matter how gentle Yuki-sama is, I am no foolish, pseudo-maid who coddles herself on his kindness.
As for the side dishes... since we are quite a large family, relying on spontaneous ideas by checking the refrigerator would leave us short on ingredients. Therefore, I generally cook according to our weekly menu plan.
For dinner, we can buy extra ingredients as needed, so adjustments happen frequently—but for breakfast, we strictly follow the meal schedule. Since rice is being cooked today, our menu consists of miso soup, rolled omelets, and grilled salmon fillets—a classic, traditional Japanese breakfast.
Generally speaking, bread is the staple food in Weed and across this continent, so there are mornings when we have bread instead. Yuki-sama mentioned that back when he lived in Japan, there were days when he would simply toast a light slice of bread before heading off to work.
To be sure, if bread that is already baked can be stored and bought in a state ready for quick serving—like in Japan or Weed—that would certainly be simpler and more efficient... However, now that a maid like me is here, I cannot possibly allow him to settle for such a lazy breakfast!! If Yuki-sama were ever to collapse from such an unhealthy diet, I would live out the rest of my life in endless regret!
Well, that is an extreme assumption. In reality, Yuki-sama has zero interest in looking after his own comfort, yet spares no effort when it comes to others—especially regarding meals. Every day, he cooks and serves dishes to his wives himself. In that sense, it is my duty to assist as much as possible and lighten his burden.
As I ponder these thoughts, I finish gathering the ingredients and begin cooking in earnest.
"Good morning, Killue-senpai."
A voice speaks up from behind me.
Turning around, I see Sarsari, Samantha-sama's personal maid.
"Good morning, Sarsari. Could you lend me a hand?"
"Yes, of course. I have finished styling Milady's hair."
Among those living in this inn, her position can be considered rather unique.
After all, she is the only one who has not received Yuki-sama's affection.
It is not a matter of dislike; rather, she herself states that Yuki-sama is simply not her type.
Normally, uttering such words could easily result in execution, but since her words contain neither contempt nor malice, everyone understands and accepts it.
Personally, I believe she ought to serve our master, but since Yuki-sama says nothing about it, and her devotion, loyalty, and willingness to protect are beyond question, I have no objections.
Besides, she is a fine maid who performs her duties just as capably as I do. In a way, one could say she possesses remarkable boldness. Having her help with the cooking for myself and Yuki-sama every day is something I am truly grateful for. With extra hands for housework and childcare, things have become much easier.
However, there is still one thing that puzzles me.
And that is...
"Have you already finished styling Samantha-sama's hair?"
"Yes. It's all about practice."
Sarsari and I chat like this as we cook.
Generally, Sarsari and I wake up at almost the same time to begin our duties as maids, but as her slight delay shows, she still fulfills her role as Samantha-sama's personal attendant.
Well, I care for Sheila-sama as well, but perhaps influenced by Yuki-sama lately, she has begun taking care of her own personal needs with great efficiency. She has likely developed a strong awareness of her role as an older sister to Aslin-sama and Filia-sama. Sheila-sama spends as much time with those two as her schedule allows.
...Well, setting that aside.
The issue lies in Samantha-sama's hair—those perfectly uniform vertical ringlets, which Yuki-sama refers to as an "all-directional drill." Since I possess enough knowledge of Japan to understand what a drill is, I burst out laughing the first time I heard it.
Yet, Sarsari styles those vertical ringlets with incredible speed every single morning.
"If I recall correctly, you mentioned using a variation of magic?"
"Yes. While Milady is still half-asleep, I dampen her hair, then use warm wind to dry it while shaping it into ringlets."
"...A hairdryer, essentially."
"Yes, exactly. But being able to produce warm air so easily is a true blessing. Styling Samantha-sama's hair normally requires hair oil, which damages it—and I would hate for her beautiful hair to be ruined."
Indeed, on this continent, maintaining such an extravagant hairstyle requires setting it with hair oil.
However, without a culture of bathing or specialized hair care shampoos like those in Weed, sleeping with hair oil still applied leaves it sticky and prone to gathering dust, severely damaging the hair.
To use magic solely for styling hair on a continent where magic has regressed—that alone speaks volumes about how much Samantha-sama means to Sarsari.
"You have a wonderful mistress."
"Yes. The person I am today is all thanks to Samantha-sama. So I have no intention of becoming Yuki-sama's lover. I want him to love Samantha-sama on my behalf as well. Ah, just as I said before, Yuki-sama is a fine man, but he isn't my type, so I'm not forcing myself to say that or anything, okay?"
"I understand. Looking into your eyes, there is no way I could doubt you."
Though her words were casual, their underlying meaning clearly showed that her master's happiness was her absolute highest priority.
"Well, if Samantha-sama and Yuki-sama ever become bored with one another, I wouldn't hesitate to offer myself to him. But it doesn't look like we need to worry about that. The wives have an incredibly strong bond, and everyone gets along so well."
"Indeed."
We wives discuss our nightly matters with Yuki-sama together, holding daily meetings—now including Samantha-sama—on how best to drain... err, make him happy. Failing to refine ourselves in this regard would make us unfit to be Yuki-sama's wives.
"Samantha-sama is very gentle, so she wishes for my happiness as well. Thus, as I declared before, now that things are peaceful in Weed, I am currently searching for a man."
"Have you found anyone suitable?"
"Haha, that's a tough one. To be honest, even though I say I prefer a flawed man, Yuki-sama shines far too brightly..."
"Ah, I completely understand. Using Yuki-sama as the standard, even an ordinarily good man looks like nothing more than a weed."
"...I think you're seeing him through quite a few filters, but I mostly agree."
How strange.
Using my lord as the benchmark, any other decent man looks like nothing more than common weeds.
Never arrogant despite being a messenger of God, possessing not only knowledge but the strategic mind to apply it, versed in politics, confounding enemies with godlike tactical brilliance on the battlefield, and boasting unparalleled strength that refuses to yield in direct combat.
Yet, never forgetting the diligence to keep learning. Possessing a generous heart that unreservedly shares the knowledge born from his homeland's desires and efforts.
And above all, loving the people and loving his family.
Truly, perfection itself!!
"W-Whoa!? Why did I suddenly get a chill!? I feel like someone's piling unreasonable expectations on top of unreasonable expectations and worshipping me!?"
"...What are you talking about? Look, Killue and Sarsari have already prepared everything."
"Oh, right. Sorry I'm late."
"I came to help~"
"I came too!"
"Killue, Sarsari-san, we came to help!"
Speak of the devil—our beloved husband, along with Sheila-sama and the others, had arrived.
As usual, they came to help prepare breakfast, but...
"Oh, too bad. I am so sorry, but breakfast has already been fully prepared by Killue-senpai and me."
""Ehhh!?""
Aslin-sama and Filia-sama let out disappointed groans.
No matter when I see them, those two are simply adorable.
Sheila-sama and Labyris-sama are both smiling gently as they watch them.
"However, we must carry the breakfast over to the banquet hall now. There is a large amount, so could we ask for your help? Aslin-sama, Filia-sama?"
"""We'll help!!"""
"Yes, thank you very much. Right this way..."
Sarsari was initially surprised to see Yuki-sama and Sheila-sama preparing breakfast together, but lately she has gotten completely used to it.
Just as she is doing now, she gets along wonderfully with Aslin-sama and Filia-sama, cooking breakfast together with them.
"Oops. Sorry. I left all the breakfast preparation to you."
"It's quite rare, isn't it? Since we were the ones who went to wake Yuki up."
"Not at all. Milord was simply exhausted from accumulated fatigue. In fact, if you would allow it, please leave at least breakfast to us."
I cannot bring myself to say that I was the one who exhausted him.
After all, we ended up doing it three times.
It couldn't be helped—Yuki-sama's expressions were simply too adorable!!
"That's right. Please leave it to us and sit back comfortably, Yuki-sama."
Sarsari joined in the conversation, but Milord, being as earnest as ever, shook his head.
"Leaving it to you when we're busy or tired is fine, but this is part of my daily routine too. Sorry to you two, but I'll keep helping out as much as I can. This is about the only place where I can work side-by-side with you both, after all."
"...Hearing you say that, I have no objections whatsoever."
"Haaah, Yuki-sama... if you say things like that so casually, you're going to get eaten up, you know? Do you want to do it right now in the morning?"
Sarsari teased him, but Milord merely answered with a smile, clearly not feeling bad about it.
"Ara? Are you going to it?"
"Um... it's embarrassing, but... if Yuki-san wishes for it..."
And right on cue, Sheila-sama and the others reacted instantly.
"No, I'm not doing it. If we did, all the other wives who realized they'd been left out would come rushing over, and it would turn into a huge mess."
"Ara? I think we'd just end up taking the whole day off instead."
"I'm the one who'd be in deep trouble! Come on, let's carry the breakfast over. There are probably wives already waiting in the banquet hall, drinking tea."
With that, Milord picked up the heaviest item—the pot of miso soup.
Following behind him, Sheila-sama and the others began carrying the side dishes.
Sarsari and I carried the rice cooker packed with freshly cooked rice.
"Ah, there's salmon today! Yay!"
"Now, Milly. Don't just stand there cheering, help out."
"I know, Eris~! Here, Aslin, I'll hold that tray with you."
"Thank you, Milly-oneechan!"
Upon arriving at the banquet hall, those who had been relaxing over tea immediately stepped in to help set the table.
Meanwhile, the remaining wives who had not yet arrived began gathering together.
"Ugh... so sleepy..."
"As usual, I see. Wouldn't it be better if you went to bed a bit earlier, Derieu?"
"Even if you say that, Jessica... if you saw that DVD series..."
"We can talk about that later, so please don't bury your face in my chest!"
"It makes a fine pillow... Second place right after Rurua isn't bad at all... zzzz..."
"Do not use my chest as a pillow to sleep on!! It is reserved exclusively for Yuki and the children!!"
Jessica-sama tried to pull her away, but Derieu-sama is, after all, a Demon King.
Relying on sheer physical strength, she refused to budge from Jessica-sama's chest.
"It's noisy as usual this early in the morning. Isn't it, Sakura, Shael?"
""Ooh?""
"Good morning! Look, there are Papa and the Mammas. Sumire-chan, Eria-chan!"
""Auu~""
"Preparations look almost complete. Well then, Shance, Yuyu, let's have breakfast. Come now, Derieu, stop playing around and feed her."
"Auu!!"
"Auuu!!"
Entering last were our precious treasures—the children—alongside their mothers.
My biological daughter, Shael, was being held in Seraria-sama's arms.
Since I am busy preparing breakfast in the morning, I generally leave the care of the children to the other wives.
If my work were finished, I would immediately hold Shael in my arms and nurse her, but right now, duty comes first.
I must finish serving the food properly.
"Oh, my cute Yuyu. Drink plenty of Mama's milk, okay?"
"Geez... She really is a proper mother when it comes to moments like this."
"Well, well, I like Jessica's chest too, you know?"
"Not you too, Ria..."
Beside Yuyu-sama, who was eagerly nursing from Derieu-sama, Jessica-sama had given up, letting events take their course.
Well, with a chest that large, I imagine it must be quite comfortable to touch.
"Don't worry. I'll let Shael nurse from me, so please finish up the preparations."
Perhaps Seraria-sama had noticed me watching the children, because she spoke to me kindly.
Sakura-sama was also nursing Shael alongside her.
Shael looked energetic today as well, which was wonderful.
"Still, Seraria... nursing two at once on both sides is quite skillful. Though I suppose everyone else does it too."
"It's all about practice. Besides, this is actually quite a relief."
"A relief? How so?"
"My breasts get swollen from producing milk. If only one side is nursed, the other side gets quite painful. And it's not like you're going to nurse from me."
"Well, obviously I'm not going to."
"Which is why having two children nurse from both sides at once makes things much easier."
"I see."
I am the same, but Rurua-sama in particular tends to get very swollen, so she often nurses two children at the same time.
Watching over the scene, our breakfast preparations were finally complete.
Without needing anyone to say a word, everyone took their respective seats and waited for Yuki-sama's opening words.
"Alright, everything's ready, so let's eat. Itadakimasu."
"""""Itadakimasu!"""""
Now then, let us enjoy our breakfast and give our very best to our maid duties today as well!
